Testing case for inner tubes or the like



Aug. 9,1927. 1,638,049

- W. E. M ASHLAND TESTING CASE FOR INNER TUBES OR THE LIKE Filed June 1925 PATENT OFFICE.

WILBUR E. MGASHIIAND, OF REEDS, MISSOURI.

TESTING CASE FOR INNER TUBES OR THE LIKE.

Application filed June 30, 1925. Serial No. 40,586.

This invention relates to testing cases for inner tubes of tires or the like and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character adapted to receive or house a tube under inflation to facilitate the location of a puncture or leak when said case and tube are submerged.

Another object of the invent-ion is to provide a'case of this general character comprising two separable sections which, when in assembled relation, provide an annular chamber to receive or house an inner tube or the like under inflation together with means whereby said sections are effectively l5 maintained in desired assembled relation.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved testing case whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that In invention may be the better understood, will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my improved case with the sections separated and the associated tube partly applied;

Figure 2 is a view in plan of the open side of one of the sections; V

Figure 3 is a sectional vie-wtaken sub stantially on the line 33 of Figure 2 with the second section applied and the tube within the case;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating in detail a portion of the means for connecting the sections of the case;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective of one of the sections of thecase.

As herein disclosed, my improved case is divided circumferentially to provide two sections A and B which, when assembled,

provide a continuous annular chamber 1 to receive and house an inner tube T or the like under inflation. One of the sections, as

A, in cross section is in excess of a semicircle so that an opening 2 may be provided for the insertion of the stem 3 of the inflating valve for the tube T, the portion of 'a wall 4 of said section A surrounding the opening 3 being provided with a reinforcing lamination 5.

The wall4 of both of the sections A and B is of screen or kindred reticulated fabric as is also the reinforcing lamination 5.

The free marginal portions of the wall 4 of the section A are suitably afiixed to the annular members 6 each of which being provided therearound with the outstanding hook members 7 adapted to be disposed through the openings 8 provided in the annular members 6 to which are secured the free marginal portions of the wall 4 of the section B whereby the sections A and B are efi'ectively maintained in assembled relation.

The free marginal portions of one of the sections, as A, have secured thereto and extending therearound a flap 9 of screen or kindred reticulated fabric which, when the sections A and B are in assembled relation, overlaps the resultant joint between said connected sections.

In practice, the tube T is applied within the annular chamber 1 afforded by the assembl'ed sections A-and B and the tube T inflated to a pressure high enough to locate the smallest puncture. The case with the applied tube T is then submerged in Water and the air escaping through a puncture will readily facilitate the location of such puncture.

In a device such as my improved case, a puncture in a tube may be-located within an extremely short period of time and for which reason I find it desirable to call my improved device a minute puncture locater.

From the foregoing description it' is thought to be obvious that a testing case constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, audit will alsdbe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limitin myself to the precise arrangement and ormation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out n1 invention in practice except as hereina ter claimed.

I claim A testing case of the class described comprising an annular tubular member divided circumferentially into two sections, annular g essme 1 members secured to the free marginal porbers of, the second section and adapted to 'tions of each of the sections and extendbe inserted through the openings in the aning outwardly therefrom, the annular rnemnular Ihembers of the first section to lock 10 bers of one of the sections being provided said sections in assembled relation.

with a series of circumferentially spaced In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my openings, and a plurality of outstanding signature. hook members carried by the annular mem- 

